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Perhaps they see the Blues midfield struggling to cope when they are pressed in possession so opt to go over it.

But Rowett said on Friday he’d like to see them play into Jutkiewicz’s feet more often. Perhaps it’s time to start the next phase of Che Adams’ development. When he came on he looked more mobile and dangerous than what had gone before.

Birmingham City v Barnsley

Enforced changes

Davis will be suspended for the trip to Newcastle which means one of Kieftenbeld, Tesche or Gleeson would have to play in his wide midfield role if Blues are going to continue with their current system.

Of the three Kieftenbeld seems the more obvious candidate but would Jacques Maghoma -who has plenty of energy - be better recalled? He can both cover back and get forward.

That would leave Blues with two wingers on the pitch and St James’ Park - and a 4-4-2 with two wingers against the most free-scoring side in the division would be an uncharacteristically open tactic.

Perhaps we could see 4-2-3-1 in the North East, which brings, Diego Fabbrini, Reece Brown, Greg Stewart and Adams into the equation.